Early day today and possibly off tomorrow so I made tracks to a couple farms to do some remakes. I pull in to one and start across the field and there they are, a couple guys with their rabbit dogs.

The farmer that leases hires to get the critters and the owner says yes to whoever wants to hunt because nobody reads the lease past the $ signs. lol

Good guys?

All come out well?

Yeah.

I've had those deals go both ways. Some small game hunters look out for ya, some dont.

Some hunters think they are helping when they dispatch your fox or coyote with a 12 gauge up close!

Chris

Have had that happen with bird hunters. LO let's anyone one who asks without consideration of traps and dogs. Talked to the LO about it several times but he's old and forgetful so have to cut him some slack. I hand out business cards to the hunters and now many call me before they go out to see if I have any traps or snares out and if so I'll work with them. Hunters chasing coyotes with dogs on the other hand have no regards for trappers or LO and run their dogs about anywhere they please. I know one day things will take a turn for the worst and even though they may be in the wrong I'll be to blame for the loss or injury their dog(s). Worst part is the trapper will be blamed for the whole issue.

Water fowlers are more likely than small gamers around here. Those guys just can’t help themselves and they are terrible shots. lol

I have coyote dog hunters that run all over too. I have warned some of them that there are traps around, and talked to my local game warden. They recommended making sure that private property was clearly marked and if coyote dogs got caught they would handle it with the dog hunters.

That would be nice if it worked like that around here. Too many loop holes in the legal system for that to work well around here. No trespassing signs have to have the LO's name, address and phone number, need to be certain size and need to be posted X number of feet apart. Very confusing and most LO's don't really care so it would be up to the trapper to do all of this.

I had coyote dog hunters on one of my properties yesterday. Dogs don't know where the state property border is, so I help them round up the dog. Some nice fellas, had a good conversation with them, told them that I was the local trapper and had coyote traps on the farm.... Farmer calls me this morning and tells me they came back after I left and asked permission. What a bunch of chumps.

I’ve heard some managers say if a “working” dog gets caught while “working” then they aren’t very good at their job and need replaced.